Shoe-fastening device.



W. H. POWELL.

SHOE FASTENING DEVICE.

APPLIOATION FILED 0M. 10, 1910.

1,020,658. Patented Mar. 19, 1912.

ll/fi /ress as; haw/far: f9. ZV/W/am Pozoa/J WILLIAM H. POWELL, OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS.

SHOE-FASTENING DEVICE.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Application filed October 10, 1910.

Patented Mar. 19, 1912.

Serial No. 586,329.

To all whom it may concern Be it known that I, \VILLIAM I-I. PownLL, a citizen of the United States, and a resident of the city of Chicago, county of Cook, and State of Illinois, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Shoe-Fastening Devices, of which the following is a specification.

My invention relates to improvements in shoe fastening devices and has for its object the production of a fastening of this character by means of which a shoe may be securely fastened to the foot, and more precisely the upper thereof about the ankle with ease and expedition.

A further object is the provision of a fastening as mentioned which will be of durable and economical construction and efficient in operation.

Other objects will appear hereinafter.

With these objects in view my invention consists in shoe fastening devices characterized as above mentioned and in certain details of construction and arrangements of parts all as will be hereinafter more fully described and particularly pointed out in the appended claim.

My invention will be more readily understood by reference to the accompanying drawings forming a part of this specification and in which,

Figure 1 is a perspective view of a low shoe or oxford to which is applied a fastening embodying my invention, Fig. 2 is an enlarged transverse section of my device and the adjacent edges of the shoe upper with which the former cooperates, Fig. 3 is a longitudinal section of the securing plate included in my invention, Fig. 41 is a plan view of one of the engaging plates which are secured to the adjacent edges of the shoe upper and detached, and Fig. 5 is a longitudinal section taken on the line 00-w of Fig. 4.

Referring now to the drawings particularly to figures from 1 to 5 inclusive, 1 indicates an ordinary low shoe. or oxford and 2 indicates the upper thereof, and 3 the adjacent edges of said upper, which when the shoe is in use, are drawn together in order to draw the upper snugly around the ankle of the wearer. Secured to the edges 3, pref.- erably by stitching, as indicated, are preferably metallic plates l coextensive in length therewith, said plates projecting inwardly from said edges and being provided with outwardly bent engaging flanges 5. The securing plate (3 is also preferably formed of metal, the same being of a length substantially the same as that of the edges 3 and the plates l. Said plate is of downwardly tapering form, the opposing longitudinal edges thereof being formed with inward] y bent engaging flanges 7. The flanges 7, as clearly shown in Fig. 2, are adapted to engage the flanges 5 secured to the edges 3, to hold the latter in operative relation. By reason of the tapering form of the plate 6 it will be seenthat in order to tightly draw the upper 2 about the ankle it is only required to slide said plate upwardly since by so doing the flanges 5 and consequently the edges 3 will be drawn toward each other. Corresponding portions of the flanges 5 and 7 are corrugated as at 8, such corrugations being adapted to inter-lock so as to yieldiugly hold the plate 6 in operative position relative to the plates 4. In order to facilitate the upward drawing or sliding of the plate G, as before mentioned, when attaching the same a perforation 9 is provided adjacent the upper extremity thereof for engagement by a hooked tool, such as a button hook. Provided at the lower extremity of said plate is a preferably leather pad 10 secured thereto by rivets 11, said pad projects beyond the peripheral edges of the lower end of the plate and serves to protect the adjacent portion or vamp of the shoe when attaching the plate 6 and extends under the lower edges of the flanges 7, when in the engaged position. Said plate is permanently attached to the shoe by means of an elastic band 12, the elasticity of said band permitting of downward sliding of said plate when disengaging the same.

A device of the construction as set forth is durable and economical, and by providing the same in a shoe it will adapt the latter to be easily and expeditiously secured to the foot. Its provision in a shoe also adds to the appearance thereof it being itself neat and finished in appearance.

\Vhile I have shown what I deem to be the preferable form of my shoe fastening I do not wish to be limited thereto as there might be various changes made in the details of construction and the arrangement of parts described without departing from the spirit of the invention as comprehended deem as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

In a shoe, the combination oi the adjacent front edges of the shoe upper, with a plate secured to each edge and having outwardly turned flanges extending the full length of their inner edges, a third plate having clown- Wardly converging edges and provided with inwardly turned flanges along said edges to engage the flanges of the first said plates, whereby upward movement of the third plate will draw said edges together, the plates on the shoe edges and said third plate being coextensive in length, and a pad secured to the under side of said third plate 15 at its lower end and adapted to extend under the lower edges of said flanges when engaged, substantially as described.

In testimony whereof I have signed my name to this specification in the presence of 20 two subscribing witnesses.

WILLIAM H. POWELL. Witnesses:

F LORENOE E. LILLIs, JOSHUA R. H. POTTS.

Copies of this patent may be obtained for five cents each, by addressing the "Commissioner of Patents, Washington, D. C. 

